Tyrone Reid, Enterprise Reporter

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has four speech writers who are paid an average of $25,000 per speech, documents granted under the Access to Information (ATI) Act revealed.

"The rates paid to speech writers are based on the industry rate, which is between $2,000 and $10,000 and billing time of between five to 10 hours.

"The range for speeches is therefore between $10,000 and $30,000 per speech," read the document from the Office of the Prime Minister.

But, Bruce Golding, Leader of the Opposition, disagrees with the amount being paid to the speech writers out of the public coffers.

"To do what?" he questions. "I better write a few and submit to her," he quipped. Mr. Golding contends that writing speeches for the Prime Minister should be the responsibility of the press secretary.

"If that is what they are charging, I support her statement that she is not going to do much talking," he said mockingly, playing on a statement the Prime Minister made about doing less talking and allowing her work to speak for her.

The ATI document stated that speech writers are not paid allowances and are paid per speech submitted. The writers are required to "develop, draft, edit and produce final speeches for the Prime Minister for various occasions and audiences such as government, potential investors, religious, corporate, cultural, diplomatic, and academic leaders and professional associations."

The document added that the writers must ensure that speeches articulate the vision and position of Mrs. Simpson Miller for various local, national and international speaking engagements. Also, the speeches must "promote an understanding of Government policies and positions on various issues."

The Office of the Prime Minister pointed out that speech writers for the PM are generally selected for their technical skills and expertise in designated areas.

"The specific expertise includes in-depth understanding of the social, cultural, political and economic environment, and a knowledge of social and community development matters," the document explained.

PM Simpson Miller's speech writers paid $25,000 on average for pieces

The current speech writers for Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller are:

1. Miss Karen Findlay

2. Miss Jean Wilson

3. Mr. Sydney Lowrie

4. Mr. Ian Boyne